If you see palm oil on the ingredient list, it’s a good idea to put that peanut butter jar back on the shelf. Manufacturers add this substance to solidify the food, make it more shelf stable, and improve the texture so that it’s more manageable. However, the oil is loaded with saturated fats, which could increase your risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and other conditions.
As with HFCS, consumers may wonder what exactly palm oil is doing in peanut butter. Unfortunately, many popular brands have palm oil, largely because it lends the peanut butter a more malleable consistency. While that makes it easy to spread on toast and bananas, it instantly takes away from peanut butter’s nutritional value. Always check the label, whether you’re purchasing a popular brand or a variety that is labeled “no-stir.” Says Shena Jaramillo MS, RD to Eat This, Not That!, “Many no-stir peanut butter brands even if labeled organic can contain a product called palm oil. This product acts like a saturated fat in the body and over time can lead to added weight gain and potentially hypertension.”
What’s more, palm oil contains monoglycerides and diglycerides, which are types of processed fats that can increase your risk of developing damaging health issues like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. Though the FDA hasn’t published specific consumption guidelines for these fats, you can protect yourself from health risks simply by watching your intake.